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Pharmacological Science

Biological Pathways

Each pathway represents the specific biological route a compound takes to achieve a wellness goal — from receptor binding to downstream cellular effects. Understanding these pathways is the foundation of smart cycling.

Showing 27 of 27 pathways

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition

ache-inhibition

Blocks AChE enzyme to increase synaptic acetylcholine, enhancing memory consolidation and recall.

focus

Target Systems

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)acheEnzymeAdapts
Muscarinic M1 acetylcholine receptormuscarinic-m1ReceptorAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Choline substrate supply

choline-substrate

Supplies choline as raw material for acetylcholine synthesis, boosting cholinergic neurotransmission.

focus

Target Systems

α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptornicotinic-alpha7ReceptorAdapts
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)acheEnzymeAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

NGF/BDNF neurotrophic stimulation

ngf-stimulation

Stimulates nerve growth factor synthesis for long-term neuronal resilience and synaptic plasticity.

focus

Target Systems

TrkA/TrkB neurotrophin receptorstrka-trkbReceptorAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

HPA axis cortisol modulation

hpa-axis-modulation

Modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to regulate cortisol output and stress response.

calmrest

Target Systems

HPA axis (CRH → ACTH → cortisol)hpa-axisAxisAdapts
GABA-A receptorgaba-aReceptorAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

GABAergic anxiolytic modulation

gaba-calm

Promotes GABA tone and alpha-wave activity for anxiolytic calm without sedation.

calm

Target Systems

GABA-A receptorgaba-aReceptorAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

GABAergic sedative signaling

gaba-sedative

Directly activates GABA-A receptors for anxiolytic and sedative relaxation effects.

calmrest

Target Systems

GABA-A receptorgaba-aReceptorAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Serotonin precursor loading

serotonin-precursor

Provides 5-HTP to increase serotonin synthesis, supporting mood and sleep-wake regulation.

restcalm

Target Systems

Serotonin 5-HT1A/2A receptors5-ht1a-2aReceptorAdapts
Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC)aadcEnzymeAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Melatonergic circadian signaling

melatonin-circadian

Activates melatonin receptors in the SCN to regulate circadian rhythm and sleep onset.

rest

Target Systems

Melatonin MT1/MT2 receptorsmt1-mt2ReceptorAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

HPG axis hormonal support

hpg-axis-hormonal

Supports testosterone via HPG axis stimulation and aromatase modulation.

energy

Target Systems

HPG axis (GnRH → LH → testosterone)hpg-axisAxisAdapts
Aromatase (CYP19A1)cyp19a1-aromataseEnzymeAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Cerebral blood flow / vasodilation

cerebral-blood-flow

Enhances nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation for improved brain oxygenation and nutrient delivery.

energyfocus

Target Systems

eNOS / nitric oxide vasodilation pathwayenos-no-pathwayEnzymeStable

Mitochondrial electron transport chain

mitochondrial-etc

Supports mitochondrial ATP production via electron transport chain optimization.

energy

Target Systems

Mitochondrial electron transport chain (Complex I–IV)mitochondrial-etc-complexSignaling ComplexAdapts

AMPK metabolic activation

ampk-metabolic

Activates AMPK signaling cascade for metabolic optimization and sirtuin-mediated longevity.

energyimmunity

Target Systems

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)ampk-kinaseEnzymeAdapts
Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) deacetylasesirt1EnzymeAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

NF-κB anti-inflammatory modulation

nfkb-inflammation

Suppresses NF-κB-driven inflammatory signaling for tissue protection and recovery.

immunity

Target Systems

NF-κB signaling complexnfkbSignaling ComplexAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Beta-glucan immune training

beta-glucan-immune

Trains innate immune cells via Dectin-1 and TLR receptor activation for enhanced pathogen defense.

immunity

Target Systems

Dectin-1 beta-glucan receptordectin-1ReceptorAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Collagen structural support

collagen-structural

Supplies collagen peptides as substrates for fibroblast-mediated extracellular matrix synthesis.

beautyimmunity

Target Systems

Collagen precursor substrate poolcollagen-substrateSubstrate PoolStable

Compounds Using This Pathway

Electrolyte/mineral hydration

electrolyte-hydration

Maintains osmotic balance and membrane potential gradients via mineral replenishment.

energyimmunity

Target Systems

Electrolyte/mineral pool (Na+, K+, Mg2+)electrolyte-poolSubstrate PoolStable

Compounds Using This Pathway

Adenosine receptor blockade

adenosine-blockade

Competitively blocks adenosine receptors to prevent drowsiness signaling and promote alertness.

energyfocus

Target Systems

Adenosine A1/A2A receptorsadenosine-a1-a2aReceptorAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Dopaminergic/noradrenergic modulation

dopamine-norepinephrine

Modulates monoamine oxidase and catecholamine pathways for dopamine/NE-driven motivation and focus.

energyfocus

Target Systems

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B)mao-bEnzymeAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Nrf2 antioxidant defense activation

antioxidant-nrf2

Activates Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway for phase II detoxification enzyme induction.

immunity

Target Systems

Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling complexkeap1-nrf2-areSignaling ComplexAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Glutathione precursor supply

glutathione-precursor

Provides rate-limiting cysteine for glutathione synthesis via GCL enzyme.

immunity

Target Systems

Glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL)gclEnzymeAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Omega/SPM inflammation resolution

omega-resolution

Supplies EPA/DHA precursors for specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) synthesis.

immunity

Target Systems

Omega-3/SPM precursor poolomega-spm-poolSubstrate PoolStable

Keratin structural support

keratin-structural

Provides biotin, silica, and cofactors for keratin production in hair, skin, and nails.

beauty

Target Systems

Keratin precursor substrate poolkeratin-substrateSubstrate PoolStable

NAD+ salvage pathway support

nad-salvage

Replenishes cellular NAD+ pools via NMN/NR precursors for sirtuin function.

immunity

Target Systems

Cellular NAD+ poolnad-poolSubstrate PoolStable
Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) deacetylasesirt1EnzymeAdapts

Compounds Using This Pathway

Phosphocreatine ATP buffering

creatine-phosphagen

Saturates phosphocreatine stores via SLC6A8 transporter for rapid ATP regeneration in muscle and brain — supports both physical power output and cognitive performance under fatigue.

energyfocus

Target Systems

SLC6A8 creatine transporterslc6a8TransporterStable

Compounds Using This Pathway

Enzymatic cofactor replenishment

cofactor-enzymatic

Maintains Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and B-vitamin pools required for 300+ enzymatic reactions including ATP synthesis and DNA repair.

immunity

Target Systems

Enzymatic cofactor pool (Mg2+, Zn2+, B vitamins)cofactor-poolSubstrate PoolStable

Compounds Using This Pathway

Taurine cellular osmoregulation

taurine-cellular

Supports cardiac contractility, neural membrane stabilization, and bile acid conjugation via TauT transporter-mediated cellular uptake.

energy

Target Systems

TauT (SLC6A6) taurine transportertaut-slc6a6TransporterStable

Compounds Using This Pathway

Vitamin D receptor genomic signaling

vdr-genomic

Activates VDR nuclear receptor to regulate ~1,000 genes involved in calcium metabolism, immune function, and bone health.

immunity

Target Systems

Vitamin D receptor (VDR)vdr-nuclearReceptorStable

System Overview

27

Biological Pathways

30

Target Systems

27

Cycling Compounds

Legend

Stable — no adaptation, safe for daily use
Adapts — develops tolerance, cycling recommended